In the Institute of Plant Protection Branch in Sośnicowice an investigation was performed on establishing novel methods for testing biological activity of seed dressings against snow mould (Microdochiwn nivale). Seeds of winter wheat used for the experiments in artificial conditions were disinfected in sodium hypochlorite, subsequently infected with the pathogen, and treated with seed dressing fungicides (Baytan Universal 19.5 WS, Zaprawa Funaben T, Maxim 025 FS, Raxil Extra 515 FS and Vitavax 200 FS). In laboratory tests inoculation with conidial suspension was applied, and in climatic chamber experiments either conidial suspension or inoculum grown on sand-cornmeal medium was used. The field experiment with the same seed dressings was carried out on naturally infested plots, and the disease developed under snow cover lasting for 58 days. Two novel climatic chamber methods (Z and PK) proved to be suitable for testing biological activity of seed dressing fungicides against snow mould (M nivale) as correlation coefficients with field results at P=0.05 were 0.9760 and 0.9453. Method Z was recognised as more suitable. Differences between seed dressings were statistically insignificant. The laboratory method was recognised as useful for controlling the pathogen (M. niva!e), but its usefulness for controlling the disease (snow mould) may not be sufficient under a range of different winter conditions.